LIGHTSCAPE - 12 lighted Plexiglas “prairie grass” landscapes along sidewalks and with colors and patterns choreographed to seasonal music – is the core of this holiday celebration featuring 100 events and special offers at area businesses. State St. from Lake to Van Buren.

This exhibition of sculptures by Dr. Smith, the founder and director of the African American Heritage Museum and Black Veterans Archive, celebrates the energy, will, and talent of a single man of commitment and reveals a rich legacy of folk art in the Midwest.

In this exhibit which changes every 3 months to introduce a new area or theme, Bey pairs historic and contemporary images of life in the city’s neighborhoods to illustrate threads of living history and social change across the city

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Our final Tuesday Tops of the year had to be amazing. It's been an amazing year! Fashion and law are the 2 main reasons this blog is on the web. As an attorney with a love for law and passion for fashion, it was exciting to find others share the same interest. Fashion law is fairly new on the scene, but so much has happened in the industry this year.

Our fearless leader in fashion law, Susan Scafidi, is not only the author of Counterfeit Chic, but also the brains and fashionable attorney behind the Fashion Law Institute at Fordham Law School. For years, so many of us just wanted a class on fashion in law school, but this is totally next level! The Institute not only offers a clinic and help to the fashion district--where it's located in NYC-- but also seminars for practicing attorneys living and loving the field.

We are so proud of this accomplishment, appreciate our trendsetter, and look forward to growth of fashion law across the globe!

This year, legislation for fashion designs reached its farthest mark yet, getting a hearing in a U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee. H.R. 2511, or the IDPPPA (Innovative Design Protection and Piracy Prevention Act) would give legal protection to particular fashion designs, with the aim of slowing counterfeiting and infringement in the fashion industry--something some say the industry is almost built upon. We will be watching the next steps on this bill, as the push for protection continues.

One of our favorite fashion law blogs has branched out into design. The amazing lawyer behind Fame Appeal started a scarf line, and as a fellow legal fashionista, we were quick to place our order. Order yours now! Thanks to Fame Appeal for paving the way for lawyers with the passion for their own collection. Trailblazing!

Usually it's the other way around. Many major fashion designers have had to file suit against the fast fashion giant for taking their high priced designs and turning them into affordable copies. This time, XXI filed a claim against a blogger who made fun of the company for their business practices. Forever 21 didn't find the site's parody funny in any regard--and sued. Well!

Everyone, fashionista or not, knows the bright red soled shoes are creations of Mr. Christian Louboutin. However, YSL felt the trademark look was open for use, especially after they featured it on a shoe of their own in the 1970s. They later found themselves in a legal battle. We are still waiting for a final ruling on this one, but color-conquering brand Tiffany's has stepped in to help out. B.A.F.F.L.E.D. fave Staci Riordan weighed in as well.

This is a recent story, popping late last week. Clearly the producers figured the fakes might go unnoticed. Hangover 2 might be headed to video, but they weren't gonna get away with this one for too long! It's actually their second intellectual property lawsuit surrounding the comedy...remember the Mike Tyson-esqe tattoo?

Not only is fashion law an emerging niche in America, but north of the border, too...just ask Canadian fashion lawyer Ashlee Froese of Brand Fashion Law. Our fashion friend from the Fashion Cloture blog also kept us up to date on all things happening on Capitol Hill--impacting local and global fashion-related markets.

Not too long after starting a fashion line for Sears, Kourtney, Kim, and Khloe were sued for infringing designs. Just being in so many areas of the entertainment business, we know this case won't slow them down, but it's definitely one for us to watch.

9.Harper's Bazaar launched a Never Fakes Campaign

In the charge to keep copies out of the market, the fab magazine presented the FANIF campaign: Fakes Are Never In Fashion. We know that's the truth!! From their home site to Twitter, the FANIF message spread like wildfire in 2011.

10. Careers in Fashion Law became reality

As mentioned earlier, the Institute at Fordham has a host of educational opportunities for those with the emerging passion for fashion and love for law. Now, there's even forums for people seeking to make the niche part of their career, and fashion law colleague Charles Colman was there to speak about it. See....we're growing!!

11. Fashion Law Blogs took over the internet and Twitter!

The blogging lawyers behind these sites are not only super smart, but use their legal knowledge and fashion savvy to keep the masses informed on all things legally fashionable. Check them out, follow them on Twitter, and love them like we do! #Fashionlaw!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

This may sound like a pub for UPS, especially during the
holiday season, but it’s definitely just homage to the bittersweet trial we
legal types call “law school”. Law
school has long been touted in many ways, from a professional school churning
out elitists, to the pathway to a lifetime of public service. Both are correct, and sometimes simultaneously.

Although a lot of potential applicants may shy away from the
3-4 year commitment (2 if you take on Northwestern’s new program) because of
today’s economy, there are still a slew of advantages graduates come away
with. Here’s our take on the beloved
profession, and yes, this is obviously biased-- yet factual.

Law school teaches you time management. Whether you go full-time and have to balance
12-15 hours of classes, or part-time with a full-time job, you’ll learn all
about juggling time and interests. You’ll
need to add in rest, family and friends, but usually at a safe enough minimum
to actually keep them in your life, despite your school commitments. After law school, your calendar/smartphone
will be more than a necessity; it’ll be a given.

Law school teaches flexibility. If not in school, definitely on the way out
these days, you learn about being flexible. You'll be picking classes you may or may not get into, choosing intern and
externships, and being ok with where you fall v. where you swear you should be. Law
school preps you, or maybe even forces you—into the trait of flexibility. If you think dealing with clients, in
whatever way you may after school, won’t require flexibility, you’ve definitely
missed something major.

A legal education gives you a new way of thinking. Not only do you learn the law, but you learn
how to process thoughts differently.
Being forced into page and word limits, and keeping only the most
important, relevant issues at hand, law school will help you see the world in a unique perspective. You’ll separate
thoughts into necessary compartments, and explain yourself in a way appropriate for
your audience….all because you made it through Legal Writing!

Law school gives you a specific education, with skills you
can use anywhere! The range of
classes offered, and the training to be used anywhere are skills nearly
unmatched when paired with one’s other experiences and education. The diverse way of thinking and tough state
licensure are not bad add-ons, either. This is truly something you can make work in any way you want!

Finally, patience, teamwork, and networking are all
marketable skills you’ll take away as a Juris Doctor. The patience of getting through the innate
difficult times as a law student will be much-needed characteristics in
practice—trust in this! Teamwork and
networking, despite the ever popular curved grading will also be natural traits
upon graduation. You’ll make amazing friends
in law school, and study groups for the Bar are never a bad idea. Taking advantage of the many seminars and
socials offered to law students, (usually at no cost) are great ways to meet
people in the field and connect with those who have been where you have to go. And as always, we promote
volunteering and giving your time. You’ll
do in it practice, and the advantages are endless for both sides.

We hope this info is helpful to you—whether you’re
considering law school, or just need a reminder as to why you’re there. We’ve been, understand, and can promise
rewards in the end.

Monday, December 19, 2011

I am not usually known for writing about sports stuff here, as V usually prefers to air my views on beer or the environment, but little known fact: I actually like other things besides environmental issues and shaming you all into being more responsible and sustainable. Some of those things include major organized sports, saving baseball (boring on TV) and hockey (I don't really get it, sorry). Many of you probably know that the 2011-2012 NBA season was in danger of not happening due to a large scale dispute between the players and owners. Now, I am no fancy big city lawyer (although V is) and I have only a modicum of understanding of what the specifics were that led to there almost being no NBA this year, or how a deal was reached, so I will not try to explain that (better people have done so for me).

So now that we have this sleeker, likely sloppier season looming, what do we have to look forward to? Those of you who have been keeping up with things probably know that there looked to be some exciting trades happening, including a possible Chris Paul to the Lakers trade that would have paired two of the most exciting NBA superstars together. You probably also know that it didn't happen. However I feel about Kobe Bean Bryant, the Lakers, or Chris Paul is irrelevant. As a basketball fan, I felt that it would have been great to see those two play off of each other and maybe help people forget the shitshow that was the NBA lockout and realize that yes, professional basketball is indeed where "amazing happens". But with this, it basically brings back some of the ugliness of the lockout; that of the owners' (who collectively own the Hornets, by the way) issues with control dynamics, the whole small market vs. big market disputes, and that it looks like David Stern is doing a poor job managing things (more on this after the jump).

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Love the Bulls, sports, and giving like we do?! Here's your chance to participate in all of them...

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Bulls to host toy drive Dec. 20 at United CenterFans who can’t attend the game can still donate to the toy drive online at Bulls.com/toydrive

WHAT:The Chicago Bulls will host the “Find a Toy a Home for the Holidays” toy drive on Tuesday, December 20 to benefit the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program.

Prior to the tip-off of the Bulls’ preseason game against the Indiana Pacers, fans are encouraged to drop off new, unwrapped toys at any of the United Center admission gates. Gates open at 5:30 p.m.

U.S. Marine Corps members and other volunteers will also be at the gates that evening accepting monetary donations.

Fans who can’t attend the game can still donate to the toy drive online at Bulls.com/toydrive. Donations will also be accepted from now until December 19 at other Bulls drop-off locations including the following:

WHY:In line with its year-round commitment to give back to Chicago, the Bulls have tipped-off their “Home for the Holidays” campaign to reach out to the community this holiday season. The Bulls have planned numerous events to share the joy of the holidays with Chicagoans in need including a toy drive, a shopping spree and holiday parties with local charity organizations.

All of our sales feature very gently used designer clothing and accessories at prices everyone can afford.

St. John, Armani, Juicy, Prada, Vuitton, Escada as well as 100's of other designer names

Jewelry, Purses, Shoes also available

All proceeds from the sale go directly to support the mission of Bottomless Closet.

The mission of Bottomless Closet is to support women in transition by providing business professional clothing, career skills and image coaching, empowering them to interview with confidence, gain employment and achieve economic self-sufficiency.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Here are some tips you may have seen before, but are still great ideas for the holiday:

During
the holiday season, waste disposal increases 25% in the United States,
causing an extra 5 billion pounds of waste in the landfills according to
the Medical University of South Carolina. Plus, travelers will be
logging tons of miles and creating tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

Here are tips to help you plan ahead to reduce your waste and green your gift giving this year:

1.Don't Buy Wrapping Paper Reuse old wrapping paper or put your
gifts in reusable bags or boxes. Be creative about giving old materials
new life -scraps of fabric, magazines, or calendars make great patchwork
bags or collage wrapping paper.2.Send Tree-free Holiday Cards Search the National Green Pages
for cards made from kenaf, hemp, and other tree-free resources. Or,
send e-cards and avoid the wait at the post office for stamps.

3. Hold a Zero Waste Holiday PartyHost a zero-waste party. Minimize the
garbage by asking people to bring their own cups, plates and utensils if
you don't have enough of your own. Use fabric tablecloths and napkins.
Then be sure to recycle any post-party cans and bottles and compost food
scraps.

4. Consider the Lifecycle of Electronic GiftsSome of the most popular gift items
for children and teens are electronics like computers, video games, and
music devices. But the manufacturing and disposal of these items creates
significant human health and environmental hazards. To learn more about
the environmental impact of computers and electronic devices, check out
the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition. The Recycled Video Games Network
is a great resource to dispose of old equipment or buy recycled games
and systems for less, reducing the amount of new materials made.

5.Give Gifts from the HeartInstead of spending money on
commercial goods, give the gift of your time and talent to loved ones
this year. Offer to make dinner, walk the dog, help with gardening or
home repairs, or invite friends over for Fair Trade coffee and tea.

6.Give the Gift of a Better World Make a donation in honor of a loved
one. Choose a cause that addresses an issue that you and your friends
and family members care about and support. Green America offers gift memberships
at special rates during the holiday. Green America gift memberships are
a great way to support our work for a green future while introducing
more people to the ideas of just and sustainable purchasing and
investing. Give gift memberships »

7. Green Your Holiday TravelIf you are one of the many people
planning to log a lot of travel miles this holiday season, don't forget
to look into green options for getting around. Better World Travelers Club can
help you offset the carbon emissions from your travel through their
Travel Cool program. Plus, Green America has partnered with Native Energy to help you offset your energy impact, including travel impact, fund the production of more wind energy, and generate support Green America's Green Energy program.

8.Buy Green GiftsIf you choose to give presents over the holidays, shop with green businesses listed in the National Green Pages. This year, a number of green businesses are offering special discounts to make green gift giving even easier. Check out our Green Gift Catalog.

9. Avoid Toys Made with PVC plastic70% of PVC is used in construction,
but it is also found in everyday plastics, including some children’s
toys. Vinyl chloride, the chemical used to make PVC, is a known human
carcinogen. Also, additives, such as lead and cadmium, are sometimes
added to PVC to keep it from breaking down; these additives can be
particularly dangerous in children’s toys. PVC is also the least
recycled plastic. Find safe toys in the National Green Pages™ »

10. Recycle Packaging From GiftsTo reduce environmental impacts, it is
important to recycle all cardboard packaging and peanuts or other
Styrofoam packing that comes with gifts or purchases as these items will
not de-compost in a landfill but can be used over and over again for
packaging and shipping. The National Green Pages contains several listings for easy drop-off centers for both types of waste.

A few other things you can do are not
to buy an actual or plastic tree (if that is your thing), but try to
think of other ways to decorate without promoting the cutting and
temporary use of trees or plastic. Also, since it is a bit colder and
buying all those gifts can take a chunk out of your wallet, weatherizing
your home and taking small steps (such as lowering your thermostat by 3
degrees or an optimal 68 degrees and lowering the temp by 8 degrees
when asleep or away at work) will save you a lot!Having a green holiday does not take a
lot of work, and will not put a damper on the spirit of celebration; in
fact, knowing that you’re keeping our planet cleaner should brighten
your mood even more!

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

This week, we are highlighting 5 of our favorite fashionable sources for giving. True, it's the holiday season, but really, we should be giving and thinking of others all year long. No one can prosper alone, so in giving and doing for others, we can receive and progress ourselves.

Check out these fashionable organizations needing your help all year long, but maybe a little extra this season.

You know this is a fave. They're helping women be ready and well-dressed when returning to the workforce. This organization even offers special workshops and socials to keep the network of amazing women strong.

Every true fashionista has a wealth of shoes, and an undying love for the pedi-covers. SYS takes gently used shoes and provides them to those in need....similar to the swapping girlfriends and sisters do! You don't want to have to walk in the shoes of the less fortunate, so let them walk in yours!

This is an old favorite, and a tad more gender neutral. Guys, we want you to give, too! Goodwill has been a staple in the donation industry for many years, and they obviously rely heavily on donations--primarily in a tough economic market, and with frigid temperatures approaching. Look for your local Goodwill, and share more than just the clothes you're replacing.

No matter what age you are, looking good tends to make you feel good. Locks of Love provides donated hair to children dealing with hair loss from various medical conditions, giving them the chance to feel rejuvenated by natural-feeling locks. As healing begins on the inside, it can show on the outside.

This is Official
Anais' 2nd Annual Toy Drive and we NEED YOU this year! This year's Toy
Drive will support single mothers with A New Me Foundation. A New Me
Foundation is a community organization that...Read More

Thursday, December 1, 2011

World AIDS Day is one of the most recognized health awareness days across the globe. The commemoration began in 1988 by theInternational AIDS Society at the international AIDS Conference. AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency
Syndrome) is the final stage of HIV, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The disease compromises the immune system, putting the body at risk
for infections, resulting from a weakened immune
system.

One of our faves, The Red Pump Project takes on the challenge of spreading awareness everyday--not just December 1st. The organization sponsors events, programming, fundraising, and shares critical knowledge for fighting this life-threatening condition. Check out their site, and see what they have coming up next.

The World AIDS Campaign regularly takes on the initiative to spread awareness about the disease and increase research as much as possible.
Informed by those most affected by HIV, the World AIDS Campaign’s goal
is to ensure that governments and policy makers meet the HIV targets
they set, the commitments they made, and mobilize the necessary
resources for a world where people do not die of AIDS and opportunistic
infections.